Police Ready To Seize Illegal Bingo Machines

Frank Moran & Sons, a Baltimore-based vendor that has 80 machines in St. Mary's that use a computer chip rather than preprinted tickets, has no plans to remove its machines and will schedule a meeting with the sheriff this week, said Bruce Bereano, the company's lobbyist.

"These are all opinions," he said. "I firmly believe, and others also believe, that the machines my client has placed in St. Mary's County and elsewhere are legal."

In Prince George's County, a handful of machines run by nonprofit groups began to appear last summer, State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D) said. Soon after, he said, about a half-dozen companies contacted him to arrange presentations of how their machines worked. Ivey concluded in an Oct. 18 opinion that "none of the proposed machines -- or any device of a similar kind -- may be legally installed in Prince George's County."

In Charles County, State's Attorney Leonard C. Collins Jr. said he also has been contacted by a number of companies but has not "advised any vendor that their machines are legal." Questionable gaming machines have been an issue for years, he said, but the creation of a county permits board has "brought this problem under control."

Scott Rudge, owner of Coles Point Tavern, said he had not heard about the attorney general's opinion but will comply with the law and, if necessary, remove the 10 machines in his bar, which are owned by Frank Moran & Sons. Those machines benefit the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

"I guess I'll have to see what everyone else is going to do about it," he said. "If it's true, there would be a lot of disappointed people."

Immediate removal of some of the machines would end the flow of money to a number of St. Mary's County nonprofit organizations. Alternatives for Youth and Families, which provides mental health services, has received about $26,000 since December from 15 machines at Fred's Liquors in Charlotte Hall. Without that money, the organization might have to scale back the services it offers, Executive Director Donna B. Bennett said.

"I am concerned," she said. "Are we going to be able to maintain all of these programs? Can we keep all of our group homes open?"